The Spanish word quinceañera traditionally names the girl celebrating her 15th birthday.
The term is formed from quince, meaning “fifteen,” and a feminine ending associated with a person or role. In English-language writing, quinceañera can refer both to the celebrant and, more broadly, to the birthday celebration itself.
A quinceañera may be accompanied by a court of honor, often called damas and chambelanes. Madrinas and padrinos may also assist with expenses or ceremonial responsibilities, but those words do not name the birthday girl. This distinction helps prevent common vocabulary mix-ups.
The masculine form quinceañero is used for a boy’s comparable celebration in some communities. Usage is not completely uniform, however, and many families adapt the tradition rather than following a single prescribed ceremony.